Transcript Slide 1
Introducing Government
in America
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Video: The Big Picture
1
http://media.pearsoncmg.com/ph/hss/SSA_SHARED_MED
IA_1/polisci/presidency/Edwards_Ch01_Introducing_Gover
nment_in_America_Seg1_v2.html
Learning Objectives
1.1
1.2
Identify the key functions of
government and explain why they
matter
Define politics in the context of
democratic government
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Learning Objectives
1.3
1.4
1
Assess how citizens can have an
impact on public policy and how
policies can impact people
Identify the key principles of
democracy and outline theories
regarding how it works in practice
and the challenges democracy faces
today
Learning Objectives
1.5
1
Outline the central arguments of the
debate in America over the proper
scope of government
Video: The Basics
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http://media.pearsoncmg.com/ph/hss/SSA_SHARED_MED
IA_1/polisci/presidency/Seg2_IntroAmrGov_v2.html
Government
What is government?
How should we govern?
What should government do?
Maintain a national defence
Provide public goods and services
Preserve order
Socialize the young
Collect taxes
1.1
Transfer of Power
1.1
Afghanistan
1.1
1.1 Which of the following is not a
duty of government?
a. Collecting taxes
b. Proving for national defense
c. Promoting religion
d. Preserving order
1.1
1.1 Which of the following is not a
duty of government?
a. Collecting taxes
b. Proving for national defense
c. Promoting religion
d. Preserving order
1.1
Politics
What is politics?
Who gets what, when, and how
Political participation
More than just voting
1.2
FIGURE 1.1: Political apathy among
young and old Americans, 1972–2008
1.2
FIGURE 1.2: Age and political
knowledge, 1972 and 2008
1.2
FIGURE 1.3: Election turnout rates of
young and old Americans, 1972–2010
1.2
Politics
Single-issue groups
e.g., abortion
1.2
Abortion rally
1.2
1.2 Which is true of single-issue
groups?
a. They increase voter participation.
b. They negatively affect voter turnout.
c. They vote just for politicians who
support their issue.
d. They force politicians to consider
compromises.
1.2
1.2 Which is true of single-issue
groups?
a. They increase voter participation.
b. They negatively affect voter turnout.
c. They vote just for politicians who
support their issue.
d. They force politicians to consider
compromises.
1.2
Policymaking System
People Shape Policy
Politics Impact People
1.3
FIGURE 1.4: The policymaking system
1.3
People Shape Policy
Linkage institutions
Policy agenda
Political issue
Policymaking institutions
Congress
Presidency
Courts
1.3
Politics Impact People
Public policy
Statute
Presidential action
Court decision
Budgetary choice
Regulation
Policies should be effective
Policies must have a goal
1.3
Table 1.1: Types of public policies
1.3
1.3 Which of the following is an
example of public policy?
a. Personal conviction
b. Parental rule
c. Congressional statute
d. Religious edict
1.3
1.3 Which of the following is an
example of public policy?
a. Personal conviction
b. Parental rule
c. Congressional statute
d. Religious edict
1.3
Democracy in America
1.4
Traditional Democratic Theory
Three Contemporary Theories of American
Democracy
Challenges to Democracy
American Political Culture and Democracy
A Culture War
Traditional Democratic
Theory
Key principles of the democratic process
(according to Dahl):
Equality in voting
Effective participation
Enlightened understanding
Citizen control of the agenda
Inclusion
Majority rule and minority rights
Representation
1.4
Three Contemporary Theories
of American Democracy
Pluralism
Groups of minorities working together
Elitism
Power is held by the wealthy
Hyperpluralism
Too many groups try to control policy
1.4
Challenges to Democracy
Increased complexity of issues
Limited participation in government
Diverse political interests
Policy gridlock
Escalating campaign costs
1.4
Super PAC contributions
1.4
American Political Culture
and Democracy
1.4
Political culture based on American creed
Liberty
Egalitarianism
Individualism
Laissez-faire
Populism
New Hampshire license plate
1.4
American Political Culture
and Democracy
1.4
Political culture based on American creed
Liberty
Egalitarianism
Individualism
Laissez-faire
Populism
FIGURE 1.5: Pride in equal treatment
of groups in the U.S. and other
established democracies
1.4
American Political Culture
and Democracy
1.4
Political culture based on American creed
Liberty
Egalitarianism
Individualism
Laissez-faire
Populism
A Culture War?
Polarization of liberal and conservative
political culture
Is it happening?
Testing a crisis of values
Loss of traditional values
Less patriotism
Irreconcilable differences
1.4
Video: In Context
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http://media.pearsoncmg.com/ph/hss/SSA_SHARED_MED
IA_1/polisci/presidency/Seg3_PoliticalCulture_v2.html
1.4 Which of the following
illustrates hyperpluralism?
a. Use of the court system to try to set
policy
b. Decrease in patriotism
c. Reliance on Congress to limit special
interests
d. Diversity in political interests
1.4
1.4 Which of the following
illustrates hyperpluralism?
a. Use of the court system to try to set
policy
b. Decrease in patriotism
c. Reliance on Congress to limit special
interests
d. Diversity in political interests
1.4
Explore the Simulation: You Are
a Candidate for Congress
1
http://media.pearsoncmg.com/long/long_longman_media
_1/2013_mpsl_sim/simulation.html?simulaURL=1
Explore American
Government: Can You Get
Ahead in America?
1
http://media.pearsoncmg.com/long/long_edwards_mpslgi
a_16/pex/pex1.html
Scope of Government in
America
How Active Is American Government?
1.5
Video: Thinking Like a
Political Scientist
1
http://media.pearsoncmg.com/ph/hss/SSA_SHARED_MED
IA_1/polisci/presidency/Seg4_Intro_v2.html
1.5
How Active Is American
Government?
Gross domestic product (GDP)
Government spends 1/3
Government employs 24 million people
Americans expect government to solve
problems
Unemployment, terrorism, illegal immigration, energy,
education, lack of access to health care
1.5
Video: In the Real World
1
http://media.pearsoncmg.com/ph/hss/SSA_SHARED_MED
IA_1/polisci/presidency/Seg5_IntroAmrGov_v2.html
1.5 About one-third of the GDP is
spent by
a. The federal government
b. State governments
c. Local governments
d. All three governments combined
1.5
1.5 About one-third of the GDP is
spent by
a. The federal government
b. State governments
c. Local governments
d. All three governments combined
1.5
Discussion Question
What are the three theories of
policymaking in the United States?
Which theory seems most plausible to
you? Why?
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Video: So What?
1
http://media.pearsoncmg.com/ph/hss/SSA_SHARED_MEDIA
_1/polisci/presidency/Edwards_Ch01_Introducing_Governme
nt_in_America_Seg6_v2.html
Further Review: On
MyPoliSciLab
Listen to the Chapter
Study and Review the Flashcards
Study and Review the Practice Tests
1